Reaching Through Time

by Lurlene McDaniel

What's Happened to Me?
     Sarah finds herself in a strange place, and she can recall only one thing—her name. A young man, Heath de Charon, explains to Sarah that he found her unconscious on the grounds of his family's estate and has been caring for her. Sarah is thankful, but when she starts hearing voices that whisper for her to come back, she is confused, and desperate to find out where she really belongs.

When the Clock Chimes
     Drake Iverson lands a summer job on Sandstone Mountain. There are no computers; he has to do all the work by hand in a large leather-bound book. He doesn't mind, as long as he can be near Gina, who is pretty and kind. But when Gina falls ill, Drake is asked to leave. He is determined to find out what happened to Gina and to uncover other mysteries he encounters on Sandstone Mountain.

The Mysteries of Chance
     Dylan Sorenson offers his help to a girl who seems to be in distress. The girl, Maura, explains that she's simply overwhelmed by the heat and quickly runs off. But Maura is soon drawn back to Dylan and a friendship and budding romance begins. However, Maura doesn't reveal the whole truth about herself, and Dylan has secrets of his own. Can their relationship withstand the deception?

Genres: Young Adult, Time Travel, Romance, Short Stories, Fiction, Fantasy, Chick Lit

240 pages, Hardcover

First published August 9, 2011

About the author

Lurlene McDaniel (born c. 1948) is an author who has written over 50 young adult books. She is well known for writing about characters struggling with chronic and terminal illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes, and organ failure.


Other places to find her are...
https://www.facebook.com/lurlenemcdan...
http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/aut...
http://www.youtube.com/user/LurleneMc

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can be found on A Thousand Lives Lived, check it out for more!

*3.5 star rating*

So for some reason, I was super excited for this book although I have not really been into the subject of time-traveling. I have read Lurlene McDaniel's work in the past, the amazing Hit and Run, but this? To tell you the truth, the only reason why I actually picked it up was because it was in the bargain section, and I recognized the author's name. Reaching Through Time was short, quick and a breeze, with one story that I actually adored. So, really, let me just break my thoughts of each story down to make it simpler.



What Happened to Me?: So this would probably noted as the worst of the three. How many stars would I give it? 3. So basically the concept is about a girl thinking she has woken up in a weird place. Readers first suspect that she is in the afterlife or in a parallel universe, trying to get back home. But then again, she has amnesia and barely remembers who she is, what is her name, where is she or what has happened to her. The person who "saves her" is named Heath, and he is filthy rich. Sarah then tries to solve the mystery and get back to her family, as she knows Heath certainly is not.

I liked the revelation of who Heath really was and where Sarah is, but the points and details in-between were too storylike. Fairy-tale like. This is supposed to be a YA novel, not one about a teenage girl going on horses and someone falling in love with someone who is strictly forbidden in a way. I mean, there were some captivating things about this novella, but then again, it's not the right thing for me either. McDaniel's writing can either leave you obsessed or disgruntle.

It is evident that if you are a preteen, this short story might mesmerize you. Trust me.



When the Clock Chimes: YES. Reading this novella was like watching America's Got Talent or American Idol, watching the judges make certain individuals feel like they obtain the most memorable talent the show has ever seen. When the Clock Chimes was racing and left me aching for a full novel. It takes place in a span of fifty pages, and I was enchanted from the first one.

This features a male protagonist named Drake, who has just moved to a small rural area of North Carolina where he immediately signs up for a summer job, working at the house of an ex-Harvard professor. He has a daughter named Gina, who Drake is attracted to, but as he sees that his boss feels weird with the fact that there's a romance between them, Drake tries to back off but his feelings make sure that he knows it's impossible.

If you enjoy time traveling, this story has everything you've ever wanted. A pure, innocent love story, mystery and a time machine. I am glad that I actually got to devour this all in one sitting. I cannot get enough of it.

The Mysteries of Chance: So as we read on, we're able to tell that all three stories focus on one kind of virtue: chance, forbidden love and finding yourself. Instead of the protagonist having to time travel and get into some mystery world, here we have the side character jumping into our male protagonist's world. Dylan saves a girl named Maura who he immediately thinks of as strange, but she quickly denies that nothing's wrong with her. I guess you can tell what is coming next. I wasn't too into this one either, but enjoyed the romance.

Reaching Through Time practically can leave you bursting. Bursting to research and see if these kinds of stories are possible, because really, who knows? McDaniel portrays her writing with brilliant protagonists who just seem lost in modern day society and end up trying something new. It's not something I may want to read again, but I enjoyed it either way for a few hours and sittings.

[Liz at Midnight Bloom Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out of the many novels Lurlene McDaniel has written, I had only read Heart to Heart before now. I practically cried the entire time I was reading it but I loved how McDaniel could easily evoke such deep emotions in no time at all. Keeping that in mind, I was looking forward to reading Reaching Through Time, hoping to find another story I could lose myself in right away.

I’m not always a huge fan of anthologies or novellas because I always seem to find that as soon as I finally get into the story, I’ve reached the end. While I love how they can be fast-paced, there’s usually a sacrifice when it comes to developing the characters more. Reaching Through Time is composed of three novellas, and in each one, time is of the essence. They’re very much individual stories, not interconnecting ones, so I was always interested to learn what was going to happen next!

It’s rather difficult to talk about each story though because there were little unexpected twists discovered and I feel like I could easily give something away by mistake! So I’ll just tease you by saying that you shouldn’t read the plot description (or judge the cover!) and simply take each story by face value only, thinking they’re strictly romance tales. Lurlene McDaniel really does go beyond writing quick tales of love! If I had to order them though, I liked “The Mysteries of Chance” the most, then “What’s Happened to Me?” and finally, “When the Clock Chimes.”

If you enjoy reading Lurlene McDaniel’s novels, then I’m sure you already have Reaching Through Time on your to-read list. It's a quick contemporary read, with hints of the paranormal in each story, and I seemed to finish the novel in no time at all!

[Beth Kakuma-Depew · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was prepared to accept mediocre science fiction from Lurlene McDaniel, but I was disappointed that the romance was fairly mediocre, too.

[Samantha Hodge]

Yeah. She lost me at "intimate mounds" (pg 12).

[*Weebles* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the 3 stories in this book!

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really haven't read many books dealing with time traveling or anything like that, but I am familiar with Lurlene McDaniel's work, so I had to try this one out. There are three stories in this collection:

1. "What's Happened to Me?"
The main character of this story, Sarah, finds herself in a strange area. She is unsure of where she is originally from or what her name is, until she begins to hear voices that remind her of who she is. Sarah ends up at the estate of Heath de Charon, a wealthy man with a large property that Sarah can't seem to away from. Sarah wants to find out more about her past, but Heath does not allow her to do so for some reason.

Out of all the stories, this one was my favorite. It has sort of a fairy tale like setting, but I was okay with it. The realization of who Heath is...was not expecting it. I would give it four stars on its own.

2. "When the Clock Chimes"
Next up is a story featuring a guy named Drake. He is looking for a summer job and applies to work for a former Harvard professor. Drake becomes interested in the professor's daughter, Gina. Gina and her father live differently than Drake and his mother. There are no computers or any signs of modern technology, but this does not bother Drake. One afternoon Gina becomes sick and her father tells Drake he has to leave. When Drake goes to check on Gina the next day, she and her father are gone.

I feel like this story and the last one more closely relate to McDaniel's writing with using modern-day characters. This story was okay. Not my favorite, but still readable. I'd say 2.5 stars.

3. "The Mysteries of Chance"
While the previous two stories dealt with characters dealing with time travel, this story features a character who must handle someone else travelling through time. In this story, Dylan comes in contact with a girl named Maura. Maura is from the future and has time traveled into the past (Dylan's present-day). Maura and Dylan become friends and in the process, Maura learns about an accident that has deeply affected Dylan's life. Using her time traveling abilities, Maura decides to help Dylan out in a special way.

This story leaned more towards the science fiction side of time travelling while still having the story set in the present day. I liked this one because of the ending. I would give this one three stars.

So overall, these novellas aren't as emotional and heart twisting as McDaniel's previous books. It is a change from her usual style of writing but still good nonetheless.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these young adult novels by Lurlene McDaniel. They always have real world issues and challenges that most everyone can empathize with. While these are a little more other worldly than some of her other books these three novellas still do that. They are still issues some teenagers really deal with or know of someone that has dealt with it. They still touch the heart and make you want to reach through and help them understand that they can learn and grow from these challenges. There is much to offer in this world. Heartache is rough but there is a lot to learn from it.

I would suggest these for teens/young adults that want to a little romance along with some real world issues.

[Olivia Mish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a McDaniel's fan and love every one of her books, but this one did not give me the same good vibes. I didn't feel that I connected as well to the characters as I have in other novels. This could be because the novellas were short, but I just didn't feel the same emotional connections to the novellas as I have in the past with her writing.

[*Weebles* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not one of her best ones.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 short novellas about Time Travel. Each a different theme and each heart tugging. Would definitely read another by this author

[Sumer Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I litterly wrote a book similar to this one after I read it it was a really good book my mom litterly got on to me for reading it all the time

[Jules W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books from Lurlene McDaniel. She always knows how to grab the reader’s attention and keep it through the whole book.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite done this book yet, but Lurlene McDaniel never seems to disappoint me. This book includes three short stories which are not in the medical/life altering genre McDaniel usually contributes to. I have yet one more story to read and when I am finished this book, I will give my full thoughts on it. So far it is really thought provoking and tears have been shed, and my heart has reflected so much on focusing in the little things in life.

[EDIT:]
So I finally finished this book and I am full of different kinds of emotion. McDaniel usually focuses on life changing, devastating stories involving illness and death, so it was a shocking to see that the three stories in this book were based on time. Time travel, comas and the past and future are the main concept that all three tales revolve around.
Story one was my favourite. I'm not going to give any spoilers and I thought it was extremely clever, it flowed well and the characters were developed properly as to not overpower the plot. I personally didn't care for the repetitiveness of the story though I know her target was to keep that theme sort of in there. I give story one a 4.8/5 only because I dislike reading repetitive things (though I know I can be repetitive, I obviously don't annoy myself) and it was somewhat predictable (though, all of McDaniel's books are somewhat predictable.)
Story two, like most of McDaniel's books, managed to get me to shed some tears by the end of it. Though I'm aware Lurlene McDaniel is known for writing some really sad books, I didn't really feel that I was even supposed to be sad at the end of the story. It was about time travel and a boy and a girl (ughh, that's the only spoiler) and I just get this vibe that I shouldn't have cried at the end of the story but I did. I do think it was well written. I feel like that similar idea has been used but she gave the story more depth than just a typical idea. I enjoyed the way the characters were developed, but the ending was just too much. I feel like there could have been a better way of ending it. 4/5
The third story, my least favourite of the three (I liked all of them very much, but out of the three it wasn't up to par)gets a 3.5/5. I dislike how this story had an open ending...I don't think it was really suitable. I admire Maura's decision in the end but once again, very predictable and McDaniel's opinion on what will happen in the future is definitely not how I think the future will turn out to be.
Overall I recommend this book (and all of her works, really) for people of all ages. I love her writing and her stories are always touching.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three different stories make up this book. In the first one, Sarah wakes up in the grass on an estate with amnesia. Heath, the owner befriends her and takes care of her. She has strange dreams and hears voices calling her. She isn't sure what is going on and although Heath wants her to stay, she feels a pull somewhere else.
In the second story, Drake, a 17 year old with cerebral palsy goes to work for a Harvard Professor cataloging artifacts. The Professor's daughter, Gina, becomes very close to him. What is strange is that Drake's cell phone doesn't work at all in the house and time seems to be, as Doctor Who says, "A big ball of timey-wimey stuff." Time doesn't seem to flow in the same manner in this house. Drake is really confused, but so in love with Gina, that he's not sure he cares until he gets sick. Then he discovers what the secret is.
In the third story, Dylan is having trouble with his life and Maura comes in Maura is a Mind Healer from the future. Dylan finds that Maura needs him and begins to come back to real life. Maura realizes that messing with time and time lines may have serious consequences.

I loved this book. Lurlene McDaniel's books appeal to teenagers, especially those who are dealing issues in their lives. I highly recommend this book.

[Alana Massa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three stories of time. The first one an eerie tale of a girl who doesn't know who she is or where she came from. By the time she realizes who she is it is almost too late. The second story of a boy born with a handicap comes across a strange place in which his watch and cell phone don't work. He doesn't know who is crazy himself or the professor he took a summer job with. He is falling in love with the professor's daughter but why won't she come down the mountain with him to see a movie? The last and final story is of a time traveler who falls in love with a boy from the future. When she finds out his deepest darkest secret does she go back in time and change the past? Will this change effect history forever?
I think that these three short stories could be used in the classroom. They are all futuristic and deal with a lot of foreshadowing. I think students could read one or all three of these stories and learn a lot of literary elements. If i had to chose a grade level to use this at I would say high school. It may be a little complex for middle school students.

[Abigail]

Not a bad read, but vastly different from Lurlene McDaniel's usual offerings. I used to be a fan of hers in my teen years, so when I found this new one in the library I thought I'd give it a shot.

The first had a rather thin plot, within a few minutes of Heath's introduction I could already figure out what was going on and so could spot the tell-tale elements and know what the maze was for.

The second is less so, although the premise was predictable. Guy finds a mysterious place that no one else knows about and modern technology doesn't work. Guess what, it's from the past. The character of Drake redeems it a little with his search for his self-worth.

The last one was the most interesting. There's a chance the future may turn out like Maura's world, with marriage being based on DNA compatibility instead of love. I like that she managed to help the boy she loves.

[Jillian (Peapod Historical Bookery) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I read this because I really enjoyed Lurlene McDaniel's books in my tween years and I wanted to give her newer books a try. I thought the first story was the strongest of the three, but they were all kind of predictable and, well... a little boring. Not very strong on the romance, which I expected to be better since the cover seems to sell this as a romance book. And plot-wise, I was left with some questions about why the characters did what they did. Like in the second story, why did the professor travel through time to save her daughter from the 1900s flu epidemic, only to return to the 1900s later and subject her to it again? Did I miss something? Wasn't that the whole reason he jumped ahead in time? But I'm still planning to give her other newer books a read.

[Just a person · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this isn't the usual Lurlene McDaniel style, they did all have some sort of health issue, but to me, maybe the novella status, they just weren't as emotional as usual. They all were different styles, but all dealing with time, one a historic type setting, another futuristic and another a collision of past and future.
I liked all the characters and the romances were sweet, it is just none of them stuck with me like her works usually do.

[Cecily Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, It is three novellas basically about a travel in time in some matter with a dash of love and a little sadness. I find Lurlene McDaniel's books are usually about tragic situations and coping with loss. These Novellas were no different but I did find the topics to be a bit lighter and didn't have me crying my eyes out by the end. Still good but not as emotional.
One of my favorite authors out there, and she is in no short demand of material.

[Angela]

They were all travelers through time, each of them bound to it, like it or not.

DNF at page 151.

Lurlene McDaniel is a great author and her books are (usually) realistic and inspiring. This one was not, unfortunately. Reaching Through Time is comprised of three novellas, and I barely made it through the first one. It was boring and unlike her other books. It was missing the emotion and pretty much everything else her best books had. I'm disappointed, to say the least.

[Yarilys Melendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is about romance.this book is a fiction.my opinion on this book is its really cute and just amazing.**spoiler alert** it about a lost girl and she woke up in a strangers house and the stranger is a good guy he not bad.he told the lost girl that she can leave when ever she want that she not his prisnor.the setting is in a strangers house.the girls doesent know who she is or where is she at.she doesnet know how to read or what happen to her in the past.

[Christie Cote · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting set of short stories. Very different then other works by her. The stories were interesting. I personally liked the third story the best and wish there had been more to it. I was just left with a bittersweet ending without complete closure. In my opinion there were still questions of not knowing what happens after where she leaves us or the results of maura's actions.

[Ellie Dynek · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been awhile since ive read any time travel fiction, so I was a little bit leery as to what exactly was going to happen. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the depth and detail of McDaniels stories. Each one covered a different aspect of time travel and really helped to broaden my perspective in regards to how one moment or one person can truly change everything.

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the stories were sweet and short, kind of sad. The better to have love and lost, than never to have loved at all rang true in these. I hate those kinds of stories. I don't like bittersweet, just sweet.

I did enjoy the last story the most though. It was heartfe

[Kelli C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great, quick read. Three novellas about "reaching through time". We are introduced to three sets of teens facing curious circumstances. Middle school girls will love yet another title by Lurlene McDaniel.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is different from other books that Lurlene has written. It deals with different scenarios not exactly like the other books I've read by Lurlene. Still an amazing book but not what I expected. Definitely an interesting read though.

[Cami · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok, but I really didn't care for it much. It is a compendium of 3 stories: "What's Happened to Me?", "When the Clock Chimes", and "The Mysteries of Chance." The stories were a bit sad, and had sad endings. They were definitely written for teenagers, and were a bit boring to me.

[Dorel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love Lurlene McDaniel books. This book's storyline wasn't as good as Ms. McDaniel storylines usually are. The storyline was boring. The characters was boring. It could have been more romantic. I will still read Ms. McDaniel books, this book just wasn't for me.

[Stephanie Lewis]

Short but good

as always 's McDaniel delivers exceptional drama and intriguing character s and story lines in these 3 very different but still similar stories of love that crosses special boundaries

[Anna Gaskell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the book was okay because it had three different stories that kept you wondering what would happen next. Those three stories were very different from each other and had very different symbols.